| Abstract: | Cellulose β-mercaptoethylaminocarboxylate made from unmercerized cotton was partially oxidized in various solvents of different swelling power followed by treatment with excess methyl iodide to yield partially disulfide-crosslinked cotton samples of about the same degrees of crosslinking containing sulfonium groups of about the same contents. The effect of the solvent in crosslinking on the equilibrium and kinetics of dyeing with three dyes (Orange II, Direct Scarlet B, and Direct Sky Blue A) of different molecular size was investigated. The 1:1 ionic bonding was observed at equilibrium between sulfonic acid groups in dye molecules and sulfonium groups in modified cottons in cases of Orange II and Direct Scarlet B. The equilibrium uptake of the largest dye, Direct Sky Blue A, was much influenced by the solvent used in crosslinking; the higher the degree of swelling in crosslinking, the larger the equilibrium uptake. The diffusion rate of Direct Scarlet B was much affected by the solvent used; the higher the degree of swelling, the higher the diffusion rate. The pore structure of the crosslinked cotton was discussed. The crosslinked cotton seemed to have a “memory” of the state at the time of crosslinking and to have a tendency to come back close to that state when placed in a dye bath. |
